Classes

Rise has 12 classrooms in its new facility which can accommodate up to twelve children each. In each classroom, about 70% of the children have developmental disabilities and about 30% are traditional learners or children without disabilities. Rise can support children with a range of developmental disabilities including those due to genetic conditions like Down syndrome, Williams syndrome, and cerebral palsy; brain injuries suffered in utero or at birth; and conditions which have not yet been diagnosed. The inclusion of children of differing abilities at Rise, also known as an “integrated environment” is absolutely core to Rise’s mission and principles. The short and long-term benefits of an integrated environment are equally great for children with developmental disabilities and those without. Rise Philosophy

Children are assigned to classrooms based on their chronological age (ages six months to six years) and educational needs. The classrooms include infant, young toddler, toddler, preschool, and pre-kindergarten. Each classroom employs a teacher who has a Master’s degree in Special Education, or is working towards one, and two instructional teacher assistants. The adult to child ratio is approximately one adult for every three children. Children are under the supervision of a responsible adult at all times.

Rise operates on a year round schedule which is aligned as closely as possible with the schedule of our local school systems. The projected days of operation for each year are supplied in advance to allow parents time to plan alternative childcare options. There are planned breaks which include one week in the spring, two weeks in May, three weeks at the end of the summer, a week at Thanksgiving and three weeks at Christmas. The classes operate from 8:00 A.M. until 2:30 P.M., Monday through Friday.

During the typical school day, each child will follow a schedule that includes individual activities, group activities, gross motor play indoors or outdoors, therapeutic services as indicated, lunch and rest. Each child’s schedule is individualized so that the day can include as many learning opportunities as possible. The instructional theme of the week for each class is posted in the classroom. Rise offers a number of services to children that may include physical, occupational, speech and music therapies. Services are delivered through an integrated therapy model in which the therapeutic activities are provided routinely by the teachers and instructional teacher assistants with ongoing input from the therapists. The therapeutic activities are integrated into the daily routine of each classroom. The therapists monitor the activities on a regular basis. Using this approach, therapy is delivered in an efficient manner during the school day.

Based on individual children’s needs, some children may be referred for supplemental direct therapies available in the community. Therapists confer with parents and teachers to discuss classroom recommendations and make referrals for additional therapy services.

The Rise School will function as an instructional program for local colleges, universities and Texas Children’s Hospital. Students may participate in a variety of ways, usually working directly with the children in some capacity. Students are closely supervised by the Rise staff. If students are performing any tests or procedures that may be considered experimental or are being completed for the purpose of a thesis or dissertation, parental permission must be received.